Prince William reveals pregnant Kate Middleton is ''so-so'' on solo visit to Malta

William has taken the place of his pregnant wife Kate who was forced to withdraw from the trip - scheduled to be her first official solo overseas visit - as she is still suffering from a severe form of morning sickness

He said: "I was asking my grandmother all about her time in Malta just a week ago. "It was very interesting to me to hear about that history."

President Coleiro Preca told William she had just returned from a visit to the UK with her husband where she met Maltese patients being treated in British Hospitals.

She said afterwards: “All our patients have such a lot of praise for the treatment and the way they are cared for... We are going to explore ways of collaborating together on research with regards to children with cancer.”

Prince's Engagement: Prince William chats to participants during an In Guardia Pageant in St George's Square (Image: Getty)

She added: “Malta has always had very good relations with Britain, even though we were a colony of Britain until 50 years ago we achieved our independence.

“But there has always been very good relations and this can be seen by the amount of Maltese people who live in the UK and the amount of British people who live on our islands. Our main tourist market is from the UK.”

The President said the 50th anniversary celebrations would be 'a very important historic event', adding 'also celebrating our achievements'.

No Kate: Prince William has replaced his wife Kate who was due to visit Malta herself (Image: Splash)

She continued: “Also we respect the British Royal Family. “We consider the British people as our friends, not simply our ex-colonisers so we consider the royal family as friends of Malta.”

She said about Kate: “She's dong well obviously in the circumstances. “I also told his royal highness that we look forward to welcoming all his family including baby George and including the new baby.”

President Coleiro Preca gave George an eight-pointed gold Maltese cross by Maltese jewellers Stirling.